City&Region News Briefs

Two new Pennsylvania Transportation Department programs will provide police and emergency workers with important medical and contact information for drivers.

Through the Yellow Dot program, drivers store medical information and emergency and medical contacts in their vehicle glove compartment. A yellow dot sticker on the vehicle's back window alerts emergency responders to check for the information.

Drivers and PennDOT-issued ID holders also can list two emergency contacts in an online database that can be accessed by law enforcement officers.

Shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for children in need around the world can be dropped off at designated sites. The five sites in Erie County are First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 250 W. Seventh St., 456-4243; Asbury United Methodist Church, 27 W. Second St., Waterford, 796-6012; Park United Methodist Church, 30 N. Lake St., North East, 725-4105; Federated Church, 11995 E. Main St., East Springfield, 882-4859; and Faith Evangelical Church, 13444 W. Washington St. Ext., Corry, (814) 323-7588.

The collection continues through Monday, although hours vary by site. Call a site for information.

The Northwestern Pennsylvania Operation Christmas Child team has a goal of 40,000 boxes this year. Officials said 34,941 were collected in 2011.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of the international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan's Purse. To learn more about the collection or how to pack a box, call 790-4973 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Tourism rail line in region gets grant for bridge

TITUSVILLE -- The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad, a tourist rail line, will receive $65,250 in state money to rehabilitate a bridge along the line.

The money is from one of 24 rail grants approved by the state Transportation Commission on Friday. The commission evaluates and approves resources needed to maintain and expand the state's transportation system.